Netherlands Cycling Guidelines
Information on riding a bike in Holland: cycling regulations, functional requirements, road safety, commuting by bicycle, transporting children, sightseeing routes, Dutch national cycling association and local riding clubs…
The flat terrain and moderate climate of the Netherlands combined with municipal infrastructure support make cycling a key form of transport. Despite the country’s small size, it has over 35,000 kms of dedicated bike paths. There are estimated to be some 22.8 million bikes which is more than 1 for every resident (population 17.9 million).
COMMUTER CYCLING
Using a bicycle for daily commuting, whether it be to work, school or drop a child at daycare, is common in the Netherlands. Approximately 27% of all commuter trips are made by bicycle. Employee parking lots usually have more stalls for bikes than they do spaces for cars. The same is true for Park & Ride lots near train and tram stations.
Bicycles can be taken onto trains in Netherlands outside of rush hours. This requires the purchase of a bike supplement ticket (Dagkaart Fiets). The ticket is valid for the full day and unlimited travel. The bike must be placed in the assigned location (indicated by the bicycle icon on specific train doors). If there is no bike space available, you must wait for the next train. Cargo bikes and bicycle trailers cannot be taken on trains.
A folding bike can be brought onto a train at any time of the day and does not require the purchase of a bike supplement ticket. The bicycle must be in the folded position.
Read more about bringing a bike on the train in Netherlands.
Non-folding bikes are not allowed on buses or trams. They are allowed on ferries and the Rotterdam-region Waterbus at no extra cost. They also are allowed on the RandstadRail Lines 3, 4 and E after 19:00 on weekdays and all day on weekends.
RECREATIONAL CYCLING
Recreational cycling is equally as popular in Netherlands. There are numerous sightseeing routes throughout the country which take cyclists past historical Holland windmills and castles, tulip fields and cheese farms, modern architectural highlights, sandy beaches, mud flats, green polders and flood-protection barriers.
These routes are indicated with green and white directional signage. Maps attached to posts along the routes show your current location and the next destination in either direction. Each segment of the route is numbered.
You can plan your own trip by using the LF route planner
DUTCH CYCLING ORGANIZATIONS
- Stichting Landelijk Fietsplatform is the national cycling association in the Netherlands. It manages over 4,500km of the bike paths described above which are used primarily for sightseeing and recreational purposes.
- The KNWU is the Royal Dutch Cycling Federation and oversees cycling sports in the Netherlands including road, BMW, track, field, beach and mountain biking, paracycling and art-wheel riding.
- Fietersbond is the Dutch cyclists’ association. It lobbies for better and safer cycling conditions in the Netherlands.
- The Dutch Cycling Embassy is the Netherlands cycling knowledge institute and provides data to governmental organizations, Dutch and foreign businesses and cyclists.
- The ANWB is the Dutch automobile association and touring club. Besides driving, it is also involved with cycling in the Netherlands. It operates stores throughout the country where you can purchase bike route maps, cycling clothes and bike accessories. The ANWB offers its members bicycle checks, roadside breakdown assistance, insurance and cycling holidays among other benefits.
CYCLING GUIDELINES IN HOLLAND
Safe cycling in the Netherlands is of utmost importance. Certain aspects of riding a bike in Holland are mandatory by law and are enforced at the municipal level by local police. Not adhering to one of these can result in a fine…
- Traffic Signals: You must stop for a red traffic light and only proceed once it has turned green. Some intersections have only have one green light, but most busier intersections have two or three green lights. At intersections with two green lights (one for vehicles, one for pedestrians), proceed only when the vehicle light has turned green. At intersections with three green lights, proceed when the bike light turns green. The green lights at these intersections are often staggered, with the pedestrian light turning green first, followed by the bicycle light and then the motor vehicle light. Cyclists turning right are allowed to proceed if the light is red after stopping to check for oncoming bicycle, vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
- Cycling on Sidewalks: Cyclists are not allowed to ride on a sidewalk or through pedestrian-only areas unless it is designated as a bike route.
- Mandatory Bike Paths: You are required to cycle on the separate dedicated bicycle path when one is available. It is typically marked by a blue circular sign with bicycle icon (see G11 and G12a below). The same sign with a diagonal red line through it indicates the end of the mandatory bike path (see G12 and G12b below).
- Mandatory Bike Lanes: When a dedicated bicycle path is not available, cycling is allowed on the road. If there is a mandatory cycling lane, the cyclist must use it. It is indicated with a continuous solid white line separating it from the motor vehicle lane(s) and has a bicycle icon stenciled on the ground.
- Optional Bike Paths: A path marked with a blue rectangular sign with the word ‘Fietspad’ indicates an optional bicycle path (see G13 below). The same sign with a red diagonal line through it indicates the end of the optional bike path).
- Cyclists Not Allowed: Cyclist are not allowed on certain roads or pedestrian-only streets. These are indicated with a sign showing a bike with a red circle around it (see C14 and C15 below).
- Cycling in Parks: You are not allowed to cycle on paths designated for pedestrians in parks, forests, woods or recreation areas.
- Cycling Abreast: Cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast in a bike path but must make way whenever another cyclist wants to pass. Cyclist are allowed to ride two abreast on a road as long as it does not hinder the flow of motor vehicles.
- Bicycle Lights: A bicycle must be equipped with a functioning single solid white light on the front that points forward and a single solid red light affixed to the rear of the bike.
- Signaling a Direction Change: Cyclists are required to signal their intent to change direction – the right arm extended outward signals the intent to turn right, the left arm extended outward signals the intent to turn left.
- Transporting a Child on a Bike: A child under the age of 8 years transported on a bicycle must be secured in a child seat approved for the child’s weight class.
- Cycling Under the Influence: It is not allowed to cycle in the Netherlands with a blood alcohol content higher than 0.5% or when under the influence of drugs.
- Mobile Phones and Cycling: Since 1st July 2019, it is illegal to use a mobile phone while cycling.
- Riding an Electric Bike: Standard cycling rules apply when riding a regular electric bike (i.e. with a maximum speed of 25 kph).
- Speed Pedelec: When riding a speed pedelec (an electric bike with a maximum speed of 45 kph), the rider must follow the road rules that apply to mopeds (not bicycles).
- Parking Bikes Prohibited: Bicycles cannot be parked in street zones marked by a blue sign with bicycle icon circled in red and with a diagonal line through it. Shops and buildings typically do not allow bikes to be parked close to the front or entrance. A sign will be posted that reads ‘Geen fietsen plaatsen’ (no bicycle parking).
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Helmets: Wearing a helmet while cycling is NOT required under Dutch law when riding a traditional bicycle or standard electric bike (max speed of 25 kph). A helmet IS required when riding a speed pedelec (an electric bicycle with a maximum speed of 45 kph).
Related information…